Dr. David Yamini, Westside Gastro Care, is a strong advocate for his patient’s health. In doing so, he hopes to educate his patients on how they can prevent digestive problems throughout their lives. Gastrointestinal education is vital to your health, if you’re hoping to avoid or prevent gastrointestinal diseases and issues.

Taking care of your stomach and digestive system is extremely important. Many people live with digestive health conditions that they have difficulty controlling. However, for most people understanding the nature and cause of gastrointestinal disorders and diseases can provide greater control over your overall health.

Digestive pain can make you feel overwhelmed, scared, and debilitated. However, there are numerous healthy habits that you can increase, and unhealthy habits you can decrease, that can help you feel better.

• If you are overweight or obese, meeting with a nutritionist or losing weight can alleviate digestive pain.
• Smaller more frequent meals can assist with digestive issues.
• Do you feel tired after eating? You may be consuming too much food per meal. Try not to be tempted to lie down right after eating. It’s better for your digestive system to sit up.
• Avoid smoking.
• Increase exercise. Walking more throughout the day is a great start!
• Limit coffee and acidic drinks.
• Try not to eat 3 hours before bedtime.
• If your symptoms persist, call Dr. David Yamini for a more comprehensive evaluation.

Food can bring people together, is fun to eat, and nurtures our bodies. However, every individual has a unique digestive system. Meaning, everyone digests various foods differently. Different meals may cause an upset stomach, diarrhea, heartburn, acid, indigestion, abdominal pain, or constipation. Knowing how your body responds to certain foods can save you a lot of pain.

The most common foods people have a hard time digesting are:

• Processed foods
• Salty or sweet foods
• Simple Carbohydrates
• Fried food
• Artificial sweeteners
• Coffee, caffeine, or other acidic drinks
• Alcoholic beverages
• Spicy food
• Dairy

Colon Health

Having a healthy colon is vital to optimal digestive health. There are many detoxification tips and habits that can prevent illness, alleviate discomfort, and reduce bloating. A healthy colon can prevent Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS) and even colon cancer.

• Fiber: Increasing your fiber intake and consuming foods like bananas, peas, prunes, beans, broccoli, and whole wheat can cleanse the body. Fiber prevents colon blockage and helps move food along your digestive track.
• Vitamin D: This important vitamin can prevent colon cancer and maintain a healthy colon. Naturally, everyone gets Vitamin D from the sun. However, you can also consume Vitamin D is bread, fatty fish, cereal, and milk. Vitamin D supplements are also a great way to absorb the vitamin.
• Water: Drinking water is so important for your health. Poor hydration allows for toxins to build up throughout your body. This leads to constipation, gas, IBS, fatigue, and bloating.

Healthy Habits for Your Colon

• Have a bowel movement coming? Don’t hold it! Head to the bathroom immediately. When you try and hold your bowel movements for an extended period of time it can build toxins in your body which can lead to bigger digestive issues.
• Get moving! Exercise helps your entire body. Most important it can keep your colon healthy. Exercise increases blood flow and oxygen and can prevent serious colon and digestive issues. Exercise does not have to vigorous to be affective.
• Get a colonoscopy. Dr. David Yamini and his team understand colonoscopy’s are not fun. However, they are vital to understanding the health and potential issues hidden within your digestive system. If you’re over the age of 50 it is crucial that you receive a colonoscopy. This is even more important for individuals suffering from frequent constipation, diarrhea, blood in the stool, unintentional weight loss, change in stool caliber, and other digestive pains.

If you have any questions about these tips and tricks, or would like to discuss your digestive health with Dr. Yamini, call our office today at (310) 453-1871. We look forward to helping you achieve greater digestive health.